Stapling machine and process



May 23, 1950 Filed June 5, 1948 C. R. FUNK STAPLING MACHINE AND PROCESS 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

CECIL R. FUNK M wad? ATTO RN EYS May 23, 1950 q, R. F 2,508,942

STAPLING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed June 5, 1948 2 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENTOR. cecu. R. FUN K ATTORNEYS Patented May 23,1950

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mm raocass Cecil B. Funk, mum] Pll'k, Mich.

The present invention relates to the production of spring inserts and to machines for producing such inserts.

In certain spring constructions for vehicles there are inserted between the leaves of such springs small pads of lubricant carrying material and, in order to hold these against displacement, a small button of suitable material is fixed to each pad by stapling or other means.

An object of the present invention is a method of producing such pads and also the provision of a suitable machine for carrying out such production.

Another object is to provide a machine for the purpose mentioned which is simple. eificient, and economical to construct and maintain.

Other objects and advantages will be a parent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the machine from the front or operator's side.

Fig. 2 is'a top plan view.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlargement, with parts in section. of the cutting of! device.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the pads.

One of the pads produced by the present invention is shown in perspective in Fig. 5. It consists of a 'woven fabric pad portion A suitably impregnated with lubricating material and having fixed thereto a button B of water repellant ma terial, the, button being aflixed by two staples C inserted the one upon and across the other.

In the present method. the impregnated strip of pad material is fed first under one staplin machine, a button laid thereon and the stapling machine operated to aflix the first staple. The strip is then moved forward a predetermined distance, a second button placed thereon. using the first already stapled button as a locating means. and the second button stapled.

i A second stapling machine is located at a suitable distance from the first and as the buttons come under this second machine, it is actuated simultaneously with the first and inserts the second staple. After the second staple has been inserted, the next operation of the two machines. as they insert their respective staples, also actuates a cut-off device which severs the pad material to produce the pad of Fig. 5.

The machine set up for carrying out the described operation is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and consists of a pair of stapling machines ID and IDA of standard make. each consisting of a base I I havin two laterally extending parallel arms I! and 12A, the arms i2 carrying at their ends th vertically arranged stapling mechanisml! and the arms I2A supporting the usual anvil (not shown) against which the ends of the staple are thrust to be turned back.

The details of the stapling machines are not being shown and described since they are not of applicant's invention and may be any one of the several commercial forms obtainable.

The conventional stapling machine is usually so constructed that the stapling head I! includes a member adapted to reciprocate in a vertical path and to insert the staple in a position at right angles to the longitudinal center line of the arms l2 and HA.

The two machines ID and IDA are mounted on a suitable support l5 and preferably set at an angle of 90 to each other. They are also arranged to be actuated by a common trip lever or pedal indicated more or less conventionally at It, the drive shafts of the machines running constantlv as indicated by the pulleys ll in Fig. 2, and the pedal i6 actuating a clutch or other means adapted to cause a single stroke of the machine.

Supported upon the anvil arm I2A of the machine ID is a guide plate 2D and when the machines are at 90, arranged with its centerline at an angle of to the centerline of the arm and extending toward the second machines anvil. This plate is formed with low side walls to guide the strip 2| of pad material centrally over the anvil of machine ID. Machine IDA may also be provided with a similar short guide ii desired.

The foregoing angular arrangement provides for the insertion of staples at right angles to each other and superposed. If it is desired to insert the staples in a parallel relation, the machines ID and IDA may be arranged with their centerlines parallel and their anvils out of line the required distance. Such a relation would also be used if the machines ID and IDA are adapted to insert rivets instead of staples.

Fixed to the guide plate 20 and arranged at right angles thereto is a second guide plate 22 carrying a slidable feed plate 23. This is a flat plate provided in its forward edge with two notches 23A and 23B spaced from each other'and of such size as to fit one of the buttons B. The rear edge of plate 23 is provided with suitable means such as a lever 24 by means of which the plate may be reciprocated forward and back. This lever 24 is shown as pivoted upon the support l5 as at 24A.

Mounted upon the stapling head I 3 of machine H is a button chute or reservoir 25 arranged vertically and located in position over the plate 23 and over the path of movement of notch 2331 After the first button has been stapled by machine ID. the plate 23 is drawn back by means of the hand lever 24, the strip 2i advanced until the first button is opposite notch 23A, and the plate 23 pushed forward again. This operation causes a fresh button from the bottom of reservoir 2 to be advanced to stapling position and accurat iy spaces it from the first button due to the co operation of notch 23A with the stapled first but- These operations are repeated until the buttons pass under the second stapler and are accurately located under the latter by the same means, namely, the cooperation of notch 23A with one of the previously stapled buttons. Immediately beyond the second stapler A and actuated by it, is a cut-ofl device which severs the strip 2| between the buttons. This cut-of! device consists of a vertically movable block 30 accurately guided by suitable pins 30A, carrying a thin edge blade 31 on its under side.

The block 30 is moved downwardly by means of an arm 32 fixed to the vertically slidable mem her in the stapling head l3 of machine IOA. This arm 32 in its downward movement contacts a suitable pin 30B fixed to block 30. The blade 3| is located at a suitable distance from the anvil of machine IDA and extends across the path of strip 2| so as to cut the latter midway between the buttons.

Inthe cutting off operation, the strip 2| passes over a block or support 33 in which is a slit or slot 33A. This slot is of a width of only a few thousandths of an inch and has its edges ground to coact with the sloping sides of the knife blade I! so that as the knife passes through the main portion of strip 2|, it enters the slot and pinches oil the lowest fibers to produce a clean cut surface. The block 30 is returned to its upper position by suitable springs 30C.

Instead of using staples to afiilx the button B to the strip, it is obvious that other means than staples may be used and such is contemplated. It is also obvious that by making a small change in the relative location of the machines, the staples or other affixing means may be inserted in a parallel relation instead of superposed and at an angle.

I claim:

1. The method of producing an article consisting of a base having fixed thereto another smaller element which consists of supplying said base material in a continuous feed, afiixing one of said smaller elements thereto by inserting fixing means, indexing said material and locating the latter from an already fixed element, then afllxing another smaller element to said base material and simultaneously inserting another fixing means into a previously fixed element, the

locating of said strip for both fixing operationsbeing efiected from the same already fixed element.

2. The method of producing an article consisting of a base having fixed thereto another smaller element which consists of supplying said base material in a continuous strip, afllxing one of said smaller elements thereto by inserting a staple, indexing said strip and locating the latter from an already fixed element, then afllxing another smaller element and simultaneously inserting a second staple into a previously stapled element, the locating of said strip for both stapling operations being efiected irom the same already fixed element.

3. The method of producing an article consisting of a base of severable material having fixed thereto another smaller element which consists of supplying said severable material in a continuous strip, aflixing one of said smaller elements thereto by suitable fixing means, indexing said strip and locating the latter from an already fixed element, then afiixing another smaller element tosaid strip, simultaneously adding another fixing means to a previously fixed element, the locating of said strip for ooth operations being efi'ected from the some already fixed element, and, also simultaneously, severing said strip substantially midway between the previously doubly fixed smaller elements.

4. The method of producing an article consisting of a base 01' severable material having fixed thereto another smaller element which consists of supplying said severable material in a continuous strip, afllxing one of said smaller elements thereto by inserting a staple, indexing said strip and locating the latter from an already fixed element, then afiixing another smaller element to said strip, simultaneously inserting another staple into a previously stapled element, the locating of said strip for both stapling operations being effected from the same already fixed element, and, also simultaneously, severing said strip substantially midway between the previously doubly fixed smaller elements.

5. Apparatus for stapling, comprising a palrof stapling machines arranged at an angle to each other whereby two staples will be inserted into the work, the one at an angle to the other when work is passed through in succession, guide means adapted to direct a strip of material over the anvils of such machines and arranged equiangular to the center lines of the machines, feed means movable at right angles to the guide means and adapted to feed articles to be stapled to said strip. said feed means being located adjacent the first machine, means carried by said feed means adapted to coact with an article after stapling to locate said strip preparatory to stapling thereon a succeeding article, the second machine being so positioned relative to the first that said location of the strip causes the second machine to superpose its staple over that of the first machine, and means for simultaneously actuating said machines.

6. Ap aratus for stapling, comprising a pair of stapling machines arranged at an angle to each other whereby two staples will be inserted into the work, the one at an angle to the other when work is passed through in succession, guide means adapted to direct a strip of material over the anvils of such machines and arranged equiangular to the center lines of the machines, feed means movable at right angles to the guide means and adapted to feed articles to be stapled to said strip, said feed means being located adjacent the first machine, means carried by said feed means adapted to coact with an article after stapling to locate said strip preparatory to stapling thereon a succeeding article, the second machine being so positioned relative to the first that said location of the strip causes the second machine to superpose its staple over that of the first machine, means for simultaneously actuating said machines, and cut-oil? means actuated by the second machine and adapted to sever said strip midway between said stapled articles.

CECIL R. FUNK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Ederer Oct. 15, 1940 

